Images: Photo Contest Finalists

Matt Sriver, of Carpentersville, leads the field to the green flag in the TAG Masters class at the Rock Island Grand Prix during a recent Sunday. The Rock Island Grand Prix is in it's 15 year and is a street race that draws karters from all over the country and several countries.Curt Sriver of Libertyville

Nature lover Hailey Piek looks at a butterfly that has landed on her finger in the new butterfly exhibit at the Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe.Debbie Marak of Arlington Heights

A praying mantis stares at a ceramic frog in an Ingleside garden on September 6th.Marty Krogh of Ingleside

A sailboat sits in the harbor at sunset in South Haven, Michigan on August 18th.Michael Wilson of Arlington Heights

A dog flies through the air to catch a flying disc during the Ashley Whippet Invitational dog and disc competition Sunday, September 2nd, in Naperville.Chris Magee of Mount Prospect

A leopard roars in the Okavango Delta in Botswana, Africa just after a kill. The leopard had taken his victim up a tree and eaten his feast.Judy Sugarman of Vernon Hills

Liz Hagen took this photo of her daughter Ellie during summer vacation at Sleeping Bear Dunes in Michigan.Liz Hagen of Dundee

I call this shot Polished Rails -- Sunset in Tolono, Illinois: I like the silhouetted trees, the sunset and the signal reflection on the rail.Larry Pearlman of Naperville

During the weekend of August 11th & 12th there was a Community Days event held at the DuPage Airport in West Chicago, IL. It featured the Cavanaugh Museum´s P-51 Mustang, "The Brat IIIÓ, among others.Larry Lato of Lisle

This picture was taken in Hwange NP, Zimbabwe late August while on an African safari with my wife Lori.Joe Ratajczak of Elgin

I took this during the recent Labor Day Fireworks in Carol Stream. We were fortunate to be able to sit in the parking lot of the school behind our house. This is the first time I used the "Fireworks" setting on my Canon.Rita Christensen of Carol Stream

I took this photo in Woodstock on my way home the other morning. The sun was rising on one side, while storm clouds were moving in from the other. It made for some really neat, contrasted lighting.Marc Moxon of Woodstock

Each week you submit your favorite photo. we pick the best of the bunch and select 12 finlaists. here are the finalists for the week of september 10th.

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